YOUR PERSONAL WILDLAND FIRE ACTION GUIDE

READY, SET, GO!

HawaiiWildfire.org

Hawai'i

This guide was developed by:

In partnership with:

Saving Lives and Property Through Advanced Planning

READY, SET, GO! Wildland Fire Action Guide

INSIDE Wildland Fire Urban Interface 3

Hawaii’sGrowingWildfireProblem 4-5

What is Defensible Space? 6

Actions You Can Take Today 7

DefensibleSpace-Hawaiian-Style 8

WhatisaHardenedHome? 9

CreatingaSafeHomeintheWUI 10-11

Ready,Set,Go!:YourOwnActionGuide12-14

LargeLandowners:ActionGuide 15-16

OurFamily’sEvacuationPlan 17-19

ResidentialSafetyChecklist 20“ThispublicationwasproducedbyHawaiiWildfireManagementOrganization(HWMO),madepos-siblethroughagrantfromtheUSDAForestServiceandwiththehelpofHWMO’spartnersfromthePacificFireExchange,HawaiiDepartmentofLandandNaturalResources-DivisionofForest-ryandWildlife,CollegeofTropicalAgricultureandHumanResourcesoftheUniversityofHawaiiatManoa,HawaiiFireDepartment,HonoluluFireDepartment,KauaiFireDepartment,andMauiFireDepartment,inacooperativeeffortwiththeInternationalAssociationofFireChiefs.HWMOisanequalopportunityemployer.ThenationalRSG!ProgramismanagedbytheInternationalAssociationofFireChiefs,fundedbytheUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgricultureForestService,theUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInterior,withpartnersupportfromtheUnitedStatesFireAd-ministration,FirewiseCommunitiesProgramandtheInsuranceInstituteforBusinessandHomeSafety.FormoreinformationontheRSG!Program,pleasevisitwww.wildlandfireRSG.org.”

hefireseasonisnowayear-roundrealityinmanyareasacrosstheHawaiianIslands,requiringfirefightersandresidentstobeonheightenedalertforthethreatofwildlandfire.

Eachyear,wildlandfiresconsumehundredsofhomesacrossthenationintheWildland-UrbanInterface(WUI),andHawaiiisatasimilarrisk.Studiesshowthatasmanyas80percentofthehomeslosttowildlandfirescouldhavebeensavediftheirownershadonlyfollowedafewsimplefire-safepractices.Inaddition,wildlandfirerelateddeathsoccurbecausepeoplewaittoolongtoleavetheirhome.

Intheeventofawildlandfire,ourfirstresponderstakeeveryprecautiontohelpprotectyouandyourproperty.However,therealityisthatinamajorwildlandfireevent,therewillsimplynotbeenoughfireresourcesorfirefighterstodefendeveryhome.

Successfullypreparingforawildlandfireenablesyoutoproactivelytakepersonalresponsibilityforprotectingyourself,yourfamilyandyourproperty.InthisActionGuide,wehopetoprovidethetipsandtoolsyouneedtoprepareforawildlandfirethreat(Ready),havesituationalawarenesswhenafirestarts(Set),andtoactearly(Go!).

TheReady,Set,Go!Programworksincomplimentaryandcollaborativefashion with the Firewise®CommunitiesProgramandotherexistingwildlandfirepubliceducationefforts. Utilizingfirefightersandlocalwildlandfirepreventionexpertise,itamplifiestheirmessagestoindividualstobetterachievethecommongoalofwildlandfirepreparedness.

Manyresidentshavebuilthomesandlandscapedwithoutfullyunderstandingtheimpactafirecanhaveonthemandfewhaveadequatelypreparedtheirfamiliesforaquickevacuation.

It’s not a question of if but whenthenextmajorwildlandfirewilloccur.Through advanced planning, understanding and preparation, we can all bepartnersinthewildlandfiresolution.Wehopeyoufindthetipsinthefollowingpageshelpfulincreatingheightenedawarenessandamorefire-safeenvironmentforyou,yourfamilyandfirefighters.

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“ThisHawaiiversionoftheRSGActionPlanwasmadepossiblebyTheCoopera-tiveFireProgramoftheU.S.ForestService,DepartmentofAgriculture,PacificSouthwestRegion.InaccordancewithFederallawandU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturepolicy,thisinstitutionisprohibitedfromdiscriminatingonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,age,ordisability.(Notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.)Tofileacomplaintofdiscrimination,writeUSDA,Direc-tor,OfficeofCivilRights,Room326-W,WhittenBuilding,1400IndependenceAvenue,SW,Washington,DC20250-9410orcall(202)720-5964(voiceandTDD).USDAisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer.

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Living in the Wildland Urban Interface

and the Ember ZoneReady,Set,Go!Beginswitha

HouseThatFirefightersCanDefend

A homewithinonemileofanaturalareaisintheEmberZone.Wind-drivenemberscanattackyourhome.Youandyourhomemustbepreparedwellbeforeafireoccurs.Emberfirescandestroyhomesorneighborhoodsfarfromtheactualflamefrontofthewildlandfire.ThesethreatsareamplifiedinHawaiiduetotheculminationofthermal,saddle,storm,andtradewindsthatcreateacomplexsystemofstrong,erraticwinds(seediagramonright).

Defensible Space Works!Ifyoulivenexttoanaturalarea,theWildlandUrbanInterface,youshouldprovidefirefighterswith the defensible space they need to protect yourhome. Thebufferzoneyoucreatebyremovingweeds,brushandothervegetationhelpskeepthefireawayfromyourhomeandreducestheriskfromflyingembers. Firewise Communitiesandotherwildlandfireprepared-nesseducationprogramsprovidevaluableguidanceonpropertyenhancements.

Consider ThisUnmanagedvegetationbetweenandaroundhomesincreasestheriskofwildlandfirespreadingthroughoutthecommunity,endangeringlivesandproperty.Pre-fireplanning,fuelsmanagement,andsufficientfuelbreaksallowfirefightersthespacetheyneedtokeepfirefromenteringthecommunityduringawildlandfireevent.CheckoutthesephotosofWUIareasfromdifferentpartsoftheislands.Doanyofthemremindyouofwhereyouandyourfamilylive?

NotOnlytheHomesontheWildlandBoundaryareatRisk

Fireiswind-driven.

Knowyourw

ind-relatedrisks.

Hawaii’s Growing Wildland Fire ProblemAndWhyWeShouldBeConcerned

Traditionally,Hawaiiecosystemsexistedwithaverylimitedpresenceofwildlandfire.However,asclimateconditionsandlanduseshavechangedoverrecenttime,non-native,fire-adaptedvegetationhaverapidlyspreadthroughourwildlandlandscapesandtowardcommunityboundaries.Inaddition,communitiesareexpandingfurtherintofire-proneareas,increasingtheriskofwildlandfiresthatthreatennaturalresources,includingnativehabitats,andpeople’slivesandhomes.

Impacts on Natural Resources

Invasive vegetation such as guinea and fountain grass spread easily andrapidly.

Theseplantsalsoigniteeasily.Afterthefire,theyre-sproutandout-com-pete native plants, spreading over a largerareathanbefore.

All it takes is another spark and thesameareawillburnhotter,moreintensely,andoveralargerareathanbefore.Thiscreatesaviciousfirecycle.

Mauka Fires Affect Makai Health and Safety

Inaddition,Hawaii’shigh-intensityrain events can sweep away soil through erosion, runoff and land-slides.

Riversandstreamscarrythedebrisandsedimentintotheoceanpollutingcoral reefs and negatively affecting sealife.Thisadverselyaffectscom-mercesuchasfishingandmarine/coastal-basedtourism.

Wildlandfire,fueledbythebuild-upofdry vegetation and driven by acomplexsystemofhotdrywinds,areextremelydifficult,expensive,anddangeroustocontrol.Hawaii’swidediversityofchallenging terrains add to the challenge forfirefighters.

DidYouKnow?18%ofthestatelandcoverisnonnativegrassland.

Largefiresdestroyvegetationthathelpholddownsoil.Heavywindscan lift the soil and create dust stormsthatimpactairqualityandhumanhealth.4

Dust

Impacts on People & CommunitiesTownsandcitiesexpandingoutward-lyintoformerlyundevelopedareas...

andasteadyincreaseinhumanignitionsourcesviahumanerrorandintention...

and large areas of fallow, invasive, orun-managedvegetation...

Future OutlookClimatechangeisincreasingthelengthandfrequency of drought periods, creating drier conditions.Scientistspredictthesetrendswillcontinue and even worsen, which will result in largerfiresthataremoresevereandintense.

We need to create resilientlandscapesandcommunitiesacrossHawaii.Youcanplayasignificantrolebyincreasingresilienceinandaroundyourownhomeandpreparingyourfamilyforapotentialwildlandfireevent.Usethefollowingpagesasaguideline.

HowYouCanMakeaDifference

Asmoreareasbecomedrier,theywillbecomemorepronetowildlandfire.Justbecauseyourareaiscurrentlygreen,asshownintheCommunitiesatRiskFromWildfiresmapbelow,doesn’tmeanitwillbeinfuture.Asaresult,it’sbestifyoutakeactionnow,ratherthanlater,whenitmaybetoolate.

DidYouKnow?From2002-2011,Hawaiiexperienced:

>900Wildlandfireignitions/year

>17,000acresburned/year

...areincreasingthesize,frequency,andintensityoffiresacrossalloftheislandsonbothwetanddrysides.

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What is Defensible Space?

ZoneOneextends30feetoutfrombuildings,structures,decks,etc.

• Removealldeadordyingvegetation.

• Remove“ladder fuels”(low-levelvegetationthatallowsthefiretospreadfromthegroundtothetreecanopy).Createatleast6feetofseparationbetweenlow-levelvegetationandtreebranches.Thiscanbedonebyreducingtheheightoflow-levelvegetationand/ortrimminglowtreebranches.

• Create“fire-free”areawithin5feetofhome,usingnon-flammablelandscapingmaterialsand/orhigh-moisturecontent,drought-resistantvegetation.

• Trimtreecanopiesregularlytokeeptheirbranchesaminimumof10feetfromstructuresandothertrees.

• Removeleaflitter(dryleaves/pineneedles)fromyard,roofandraingutters.

• RelocatewoodpilesorothercombustiblematerialsintoZoneTwo.

• Removecombustiblematerialandvegetationfromaroundandunderdecks,lanai,ortheentirehouseiffoundationispost-and-pier.

• Removeorprunevegetationnearwindows.

Defensible space is the required space between struc-turesandthewildlandareathat,undernormalconditions, createsasufficientbuffertosloworhaltthespreadofwildfiretoastructure.Itprotectsthehomefromignitingduetodirectflameorradiantheat.Defensiblespaceisessentialforstructuresurvivabilityduringwildlandfireconditions. Formoreinformationaboutdefensiblespacezonesandpreparednesstechniqueswithineach,visittheFirewiseCommunitieswebsite,www.firewise.org.

ZONE ONE

ZONE TWOZoneTwoextends30to100feetoutfrombuildings,structuresanddecks.Youcanminimizethechanceoffirejumpingfromplanttoplantbyremovingdeadmaterialandremovingand/orthinningvegetation.Theminimumspacingbetweenvegetationisthreetimesthedimensionoftheplant.

• Remove“ladderfuels.”

• Cutormowannualgrassdowntoamaximumheightof4inches.

• Trimtreecanopiesregularlytokeeptheirbranchesaminimumof10feetfromothertrees/clusteroftrees.

*Forlargerproperties,considerareasoutsideofZoneTwoasathirdzonetoaddress.Continuereducingladderfuels,managingfuels,hardeningstructures,andproperlystoringcombustiblematerials.

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*

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Actions You Can Take Today!

Removeleaflitterandotherdebristhataccumulatearoundthebuild-ing, under vegetation, and other collectionareas.

Eliminateladderfuelsbypruningtree branches on trees around the property to within at least 6 feet of the ground, using a bypass lopper (seenabove),prunersaw,orlongreach/handpruner.

Weed around the property regu-larly, especially areas that a lawn mowerisnotappropriatefor(talldrygrasses,rockyterrain,etc.)

Non-nativetrees,suchasironwood(seenbelow)constantly drop needles, leaves, branches, and other debris,soit’sbesttostayontopofremovingthemfromthegroundbeforethepilebecomesamajorproject.Considerreforestingtheseareaswithnativetreesthatdon’tdroplargeamountsofdebris.

Removeflammablematerialsfromunderneath the house, decks, porches,andlanai.Commonflammablesincludescrap-wood,firewood,andcombustiblefurniture.

Removeleaflitter,strawandotherdebrisfromunderandaroundpropanetankstocreate10feetofclearancearoundit.

Mowthelawnregularlytokeepgrassesshorterthan4inchestallaroundthehome.Donotmowinthe heat of the day or when the windisblowing.Nevermowindryvegetation.

Invasive grasses such as guinea and fountain grass growrapidlywhenun-managedandcandryoutveryquickly,creatingamajorfirehazard.Weedthemoftenandconsiderreplantingwithlow-lying,drought-tolerant,nativegroundcover.

Watch Out for Exotic Vegetation

Defensible Space - Hawaiian StyleCreatingdefensiblespacedoesnotnecessarilymeanelimi-natingthepresenceofgreeneryonyourproperty.Youcanstilllandscapearoundyourhometomakeitfire-safewithoutcompromisingbeautyandaesthetics.Byplantingnative,drought-tolerantplants(xeriscaping)aroundyourhome,youcan:

• Protectyourhomefromwildlandfireignitionandspread

• Beautifyyourproperty

• Perpetuateanimportantnaturalandculturalresource

• Decreasethemaintenanceneedsofyourlandscaping

For the drier areas of Hawaii, consider that native dryland plants are specially adapted to local conditions and require lessupkeep,water,andfiremaintenance,savingyourselfagreatdealoftime,money,andresources.Non-native,lushplantsoftendrophazardousdebrisandcanbecomefireproneindroughtconditions.

DidYouKnow?

Thesamewindsthatblowhazardousdebristowardsacollectionarea(underneathshrubs,underthelanai,nexttoouteredgesofhome,etc.)willlikelycarryembersduringawildlandfiretothatsamespot,andignitethatpile.That’swhyit’sincrediblyimportanttoconstantlyremovedebrisfromtheseareaslongbeforeawildlandfireoccurs.

Considerselectingnativeplantsfromthislistthataremostrelevanttoyourarea:

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Homes with Great Xeriscaping

‘IlimaPapa Bonamia ‘Ākia

‘A‘ali‘i ‘Akoko ‘Ihi

Nānū Pōhinahina Ma‘oHauHele

Koki‘o ‘Ūlei Wiliwili

Koai‘a Uhiuhi Hala Pepe

‘Ohi‘a Lehua Ko‘oko‘olau ‘OheMakai

‘Iliahi Nehe Alahe‘e

‘Ala‘alaWaiNui Kolomona Koai‘a

Mamaki Kolea MaiaPilo

What is a Hardened Home?

ROOFSRoofsarethemostvulnerablesurfacewhereemberslandbecausetheycanlodgeandstartafire.Roofvalleys,openends of barrel tiles and rain guttersareallpointsofentry.

EAVESEmberscangatherunderopeneavesandigniteexposedwoodorothercombustiblematerial.

VENTSEmberscanentertheatticorotherconcealedspacesandignitecombustiblematerials.Ventsineavesandcornicesareparticularly vulnerable, as are any unscreened vents.

WALLS and FENCINGCombustiblesidingorothercombustibleoroverlappingmaterialsprovidesurfacesorcrevicesforemberstonestleandignite.Combustiblefencingcanbecomeengulfedandifattachedtothehome’ssidingscancarrythefirerighttothehome.

WINDOWS and DOORSEmberscanentergapsindoors,includinggaragedoors.Plantsorcombustiblestoragenearwindows can be ignited fromembersandgenerateheatthatcanbreakwindowsand/ormeltcombustibleframes.

BALCONIES and DECKSEmberscancollectinoroncombustiblesurfacesortheundersidesofdecks,lanai,andbalconies,ignitethematerialandenterthehomethroughwallsorwindows.Post-and-pierhomes,commonthroughoutHawaii,areespeciallyvulner-ablesincemost,ifnotall,oftheundersideofthehouseisexposed.

Tohardenyourhomeevenfurther,considerprotectingyourhomewitharesidentialfiresprinklersystem.Inadditiontoextinguishingafirestartedbyanemberthatentersyourhome,italsoprotectsyouandyourfamilyyear-roundfromanyfirethatmaystartinsideyourhome.

Constructionmaterialsandthequalityofthedefensiblespacesurroundingitarewhatgiveahomethebestchancetosurviveawildlandfire.Embersfromawildlandfirewillfindtheweaklinkinyourhome’sfireprotectionschemeandgaintheupperhandbecauseofasmall,overlookedorseeminglyinconsequentialfactor.However,therearemeasuresyoucantaketosafeguardyourhomefromwildlandfire.Whileyoumaynotbeabletoaccomplishallthemeasureslistedbelow,eachwillincreaseyourhome’s,andpossiblyyourfamily’s,safetyandsurvivalduringawildlandfire.

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Gutter Guards or Screens

EnclosedEaves

ScreenedVents

Non-CombustibleFencing

WindowsClearofVegetation

Home Improvements

Creating a Safe Home in the WUI

Inside: Keepworkingfireextinguishersonhand.Installsmokealarmsoneachlevelofyourhomeandnearbedrooms.Testthemmonthlyandchangethebatteriestwiceayear.

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Home Site and Yard: Ensureyouhaveatleasta100-footradiusofdefensiblespace(clearedvegetation)aroundyourhome.Notethatevenmoreclearancemaybeneededforhomesinseverehazardareas.Thismeanslookingpastwhatyouowntodeterminetheimpactacommonslopeorneighbors’yardwillhaveonyourpropertyduringawildlandfire.Cutdryweedsandgrassbeforenoonwhentemperaturesarecoolertoreducethechanceofsparkingafire.Landscapewithfire-resistantplantsthathaveahighmoisturecontentandarelow-growing.Keepwoodpiles,propanetanksandcombustiblematerialsawayfromyourhomeandotherstructuressuchasgarages,barnsandsheds.Ensurethattreesarefarawayfrompowerlines.

Roof: Yourroofisthemostvulnerablepartofyourhomebecauseitcaneasilycatchfirefromwind-blownembers.Homeswithwood-shakeorshingleroofs are at high risk of being destroyed during a wildlandfire.Buildyourrooforre-roofwithfire-resistantmateri-alssuchascomposition,metal(asseeninpicture)ortile.Blockanyspacesbetweenroofdeckingandcoveringtopreventemberintrusion.Clearpineneedles,leavesandotherdebrisfromyourroofandgutters.Cutanytreebrancheswithintenfeetofyourroof.

Driveways and Access Roads: Driveways should be designedtoallowfireandemergencyvehiclesandequipmenttoreachyourhouse.Accessroadsshouldhaveaminimum10-footclearance on either side of the traveled section of theroadwayandshouldallowfortwo-waytraffic.Ensurethatallgatesopeninwardandarewideenoughtoaccommodateemergencyequipment.Trimtreesandshrubsoverhangingtheroadtoaminimumof131⁄2feettoallowemergencyvehiclestopass.

Deck/Patio Cover: Useheavytimberornon-flammableconstructionmaterialfordecks.Enclosetheundersideofbalconiesanddeckswithfire-resistantmaterialstopreventembersfromblowingunderneath.Keepyourdeckclearofcombustibleitems,suchasbaskets,driedflowerarrangementsandotherdebris.Thedeckingsurfacemustbeignitionresistantifit’swithin10feetofthehome.

Non-Combustible Fencing:Makesuretousenon-combustiblefencingtoprotectyourhomeduringawildlandfire.

Creating a Safe Home in the WUI

Address:Makesureyouraddressisclearlyvisiblefromtheroad.

Walls: Wood products, such as boards, panels or shingles,arecommonsidingmaterials.However,theyarecombustibleandnotgoodchoicesforfire-proneareas.Buildorremodelwithfire-resistantbuildingmaterials,suchasplaster,cement,masonryorstucco.Besuretoextendmaterialsfromfoundationtoroof.

Windows:Heatfromawildlandfirecancausewindowstobreakevenbeforethehomeignites.Thisallowsburningemberstoenterandstartinternalfires.Single-panedandlargewindowsareparticularlyvulnerable.Installdual-panedwindowswiththeexteriorpaneoftemperedglasstoreducethechanceofbreakageinafire.Limitthesizeandnumberofwindowsinyourhomethatfacelargeareasofvegetation.

Vents:Ventsonhomesareparticularlyvulnerabletoflyingembers.Allventopeningsshouldbecoveredwith1⁄8-inchorsmallermetalmesh.Donotusefiberglassorplasticmeshbecausetheycanmeltandburn.Atticventsineavesorcornicesshouldbebaffledorotherwiseprotectedtopreventemberintrusion(meshisnotenough).

Water Supply:Havemultiplegardenhosesthatarelongenoughtoreachanyareaofyourhomeandotherstructuresonyourproperty.Ifyouhaveapoolorwell,considerapump.

Garage:Haveafireextinguisherandtoolssuchasashovel,rake,bucketandhoeavailableforfireemergen-cies.Installasoliddoorwithself-closinghingesbetweenlivingareasandthegarage.Installweatherstrippingaroundandunderdoortopreventemberintrusion.Storeallcombustiblesandflammableliquidsawayfromignitionsources.

Chimney: Coveryourchimneyandstovepipeoutletswithanon-flammablescreenof1⁄4-inchwiremeshorsmallertopreventembersfromescapingandignitingafire.Makesurethatyourchimneyisatleast10feetawayfromanytreebranches.

Non-Combustible Enclosed Eaves:Boxineaveswithnon-combustiblematerialstopreventaccumulationofembers.

Raingutters: Screen or enclose rain gutters to preventaccumulationofplantdebris.

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Nowthatyou’vedoneeverythingyoucantoprotectyourhouse,itstimetoprepareyourfamily.YourWildland Fire Action Guidemustbepreparedwithallmembersofyourhouseholdwellinadvanceofafire.Usethesecheckliststohelpyou gain a situational awareness of the threat andtoprepareyourWildlandFireActionGuide. Formoreinformationonpropertyandhomepreparednessbeforeafirethreat,reviewthepreparedness checklist on the Firewise Communitieswebsite,www.firewise.org.

READY, SET, GO! Create Your Own

Action Guide

Create a Family Disaster Planthatincludesmeetinglocationsandcommunicationplansandrehearseitregularly.Includeinyourplantheevacuationofpetsandlargeanimalssuchashorses.

Havefireextinguishersonhandandtrainyourfamilyhowtousethem.

Ensurethatyourfamilyknowswhereyourgas,electricandwatermainshut-offcontrolsareandhowtousethem.

Planseveraldifferentevacuationroutes.

Designateanemergencymeetinglocationoutsidethefirehazardarea.

AssembleanemergencysupplykitasrecommendedbytheAmericanRedCross(www.redcross.org).

Appointanout-of-areafriendorrelativeasapointofcontactsoyoucancommunicatewithfamilymemberswhohaverelocated.

Maintainalistofemergencycontactnumberspostednearyourphoneandinyouremergencysupplykit.

Keepanextraemergencysupplykitinyourcarincaseyoucan’tgettoyourhomebecauseoffire.

Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updatedonthefire.

Have a clear list and easy access location for necessarymedications,glassesandotherhealthaids.

Ready – Preparing for the Fire Threat

TalktoyourcommunitymembersandcommunityassociationaboutcreatingaCommunityWildfireProtectionPlan(CWPP).HawaiiWildfireManagementOrganizationcanassistwiththisprocess.

TakeActionforYourCommunity

CoordinatewithlocalcountyCERTteams. Gettoknowyourneighbors.Ifthereareany

elderly or handicapped residents, or others withlimitedmobility,planwiththemonhowyoucanbestassistthemintheeventofawildlandfire.

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Outside Checklist Gatherupflammableitemsfromtheexteriorofthehouseandbringtheminside(e.g.,patiofurniture,children’stoys,doormats,etc.)orplacetheminyourpool.

Turnoffpropanetanks.

Don’tleavesprinklersonorwaterrunning-theycanwastecriticalwaterpressure.

Leaveexteriorlightson.

Backyourcarintothedriveway.Shutdoorsandrollupwindows.

Havealadderavailable.

Patrolyourpropertyandextinguishallsmallfiresuntilyouleave.

Sealatticandgroundventswithpre-cutplywoodorcommercialsealsiftimepermits.

Evacuateassoonasyouareset!Donotwaitforevacuationorders.Getoutearly-youcanalwaysreturnhomeifitissafe.Thisprotectsyou,decreasestraffic,andallowsfirefighterstofocusonfiresuppression.Seemoreunderthe“Go”section.

Alertfamilyandneighbors.

Dressinappropriateclothing(i.e.,clothingmadefromnaturalfibers,suchascotton,andworkboots).Havegogglesandadrybandanaorparticlemaskhandy.

Ensurethatyouhaveyouremergencysupplykitonhandthatincludesallnecessaryitems,suchas a battery powered radio, spare batteries, emergencycontactnumbers,andampledrinkingwater.

StaytunedtoyourTVorlocalradiostationsforupdates,orcheckthefiredepartmentWebsite.

Remainclosetoyourhouse,drinkplentyofwaterandkeepaneyeonyourfamilyandpetsuntilyouarereadytoleave.

Set – Situational Awareness When a Fire Starts

If You are Trapped: Survival Tips Shelterawayfromoutsidewalls.

Bringgardenhosesinsidehousesoembersdon’tdestroythem.

Patrolinsideyourhomeforspotfiresandextinguishthem.

Wearlongsleevesandlongpantsmadeofnaturalfiberssuchascotton.

Stayhydrated.

Ensureyoucanexitthehomeifitcatchesfire(rememberifit’shotinsidethehouse,itisfourtofivetimeshotteroutside).

Fillsinksandtubsforanemergencywatersupply.

Placewettowelsunderdoorstokeepsmokeandembersout.

Afterthefirehaspassed,checkyourentirepropertyandextinguishanyfiresorembers.

Iftherearefiresthatyoucannotextinguishwithasmallamountofwaterorinashortperiodoftime,call9-1-1.

Inside Checklist Shutallwindowsanddoors,leavingthemunlocked.

Removeflammablewindowshadesandcurtainsandclosemetalshutters.

Removelightweightcurtains.

Moveflammablefurnituretothecenteroftheroom,awayfromwindowsanddoors.

Shutoffgasatthemeter.Turnoffpilotlights.

Leaveyourlightsonsofirefighterscanseeyourhouseundersmokyconditions.

Shutofftheairconditioning.

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Go – Leave EarlyByleavingearly,yougiveyourfamilythebestchanceofsurvivingawildlandfire.Youalsohelpfirefightersbykeepingroadsclearofcongestion,enablingthemtomovemorefreelyanddotheirjobinasaferenvironment.

WHEN TO LEAVELeaveearlyenoughtoavoidbeingcaughtinfire,smokeorroadcongestion.Don’twaittobetoldbyauthoritiestoleave.Inanintensewildlandfire,theymaynothavetimetoknockoneverydoor.Ifyou are advised to leave, don’t hesitate!

WHERE TO GOLeavetoapredeterminedlocation(itshouldbealow-riskarea,suchasawell-preparedneighbor or relative’s house, a Red Cross shelter orevacuationcenter,motel,etc.).YourlocalCommunityWildfireProtectionPlanwillalsohavelocationslisted.

HOW TO GET THEREHave several travel routes in case one route is blockedbythefireorbyemergencyvehiclesandequipment.Chooseanescaperouteawayfromthefire.

WHAT TO TAKETakeyouremergencysupplykitcontainingyourfamilyandpet’snecessaryitems.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

TheAmericanRedCrossrecommendseveryfam-ilyhaveanemergencysupplykitassembledlongbeforeawildlandfireorotheremergencyoccurs.Usethechecklistbelowtohelpassembleyours.Formoreinformationonemergencysupplies,visittheAmericanRedCrossWebsiteat www.redcross.org.

Three-daysupplyofwater(onegallonperpersonperday).

Non-perishablefoodforallfamilymembersandpets(three-daysupply).

Firstaidkit.

Flashlight,battery-poweredradio,andextrabatteries.

Anextrasetofcarkeys,creditcards,cashortraveler’schecks.

Sanitationsupplies.

Extraeyeglassesorcontactlenses.

Importantfamilydocumentsandcontactnumbers.

Mapmarkedwithevacuationroutes.

Prescriptionsorspecialmedications.

Familyphotosandotherirreplaceableitems.

Easilycarriedvaluables.

Personalcomputers(informationonharddrivesanddisks).

Chargersforcellphones,laptops,etc.

Note:Keepapairofoldshoesandaflashlighthandyincaseofasuddenevacuationatnight.

READY, SET, GO! For Large Landowners &

Land Managers

Ready Gothroughthepreviousguidelines(pgs.12-14)withyourfamilyinadditiontothissection.

Haveatleasttwoexitsforyourheadquartersandprimaryresidenceforyourevacuationplan.

IfyouhaveaGPSdevice,pre-programitwithmultipleescaperoutes.

Keepanemergencysupplykitinallranchandpersonalvehicles.

Prepare Your Family, Employees, and Visitors

Prepare Your Animals Createalivestockevacuationplan.

Ensureproperregisteringandbrandingoflivestock.

Establishaback-upplanforfeedinglivestockifgrazinglandisdestroyedbyfire.

Prepare Your Property Createandmaintainfirebreaks(vegetationremoveddowntobare,mineralsoil)eachyearpriortofireseasonaroundpasturesandstructures.Thiswillallowaccessforsuppression.Thewidthofthefirebreaksshouldbeatleast3xthefuelheight.

Reducevegetationandremovecombustiblematerialaroundallstructures.

Whenselectingforunderstoryvegetation(belowtrees),choosethosethatarelessfire-proneanddon’t dry out quickly, and those that don’t create ladderfuels.

Prioritizeassetsbyassessingtheriskandvalueofeachandtheeffortitwouldtaketoprotectthem.

Maintainyourequipment(powertools,mowers,catalyticconverters,etc.)Makesureworkingsparkarrestorsareinstalledandmaintainedonequipment.

Reinforcefenceswithmetalposts,ifapplicable.

Createasafezoneclearofallvegetationforequipment.

Clear vegetation around fuel tanks and other highly combustibleequipment.

Createafirepre-planforyourpropertythatincludesinsightsfromyourfiredepartmentandwildlandfireexperts.Discussyourplanandpropertyspecificswithlocalfirefightersaheadoftime.(Seepre-planinsertonnextpage).

Tracktheweatherdaily.Takenoteofchangingconditions.

If the weather is too dry: close the area, avoid riskyequipmentoperations,ordrivingoverdryvegetation.Firescanstartbysimplyidlingyourcarovergrass.Makesureallvehicles’catalyticconvertersareinworkingorder.

KnowYourArea’sConditions

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Havesuppressiontools&methodsavailableonsite:

Fireextinguisher

Water

Fire tools

CatchtheFireBeforeitBurnsOutofControl

Phone on site

Keystothedozer

For Large Landowners & Land ManagersSet

Hookupyourstocktrailerandloadyouranimals.

Unlock and open gates so livestock can escape flamesandfirefighterscangainaccess.

Close all barn doors so horses and livestock will not gointoaburningbuilding.

Your Animals

Your Property Followguidelinesfrompage13.

Moveequipmentintoasafezonethatisclearofcombustiblefuels.

Closealldoors,windows,andturnonexterior/interiorlightsinbarnsandotherstructures.

Shutoffgassupplyandpropanetanks.

Your Family, Employees, and Visitors

Followguidelinesfrompage13.

Alertfamily,ranchhands,fieldworkers,oranyoneelsewhoisonyourproperty.

Makesureyouhaveacontactlistormeetinglocationcoordinatedaheadoftimetoensureeveryone’ssafety.

Makesureaddresspostsareclearlyvisibleandmarkedincontrastingcolors.

Keepcopiesofgatekeysandawrittenlistofcombinationsinaknownlocation.

Makesureyourpropertyisproperlymappedoutandthatyourcountyfiredepartmenthasacopyofthemap.

Maintainroadsfarinadvanceoffireseason.Makesurethereisenoughroomforfiretruckstodrivethroughandthatlargeturn-outsforemergencyvehiclesareavailable.Hazardstolook out for include: overhanging trees, low power lines, bridges with weight restrictions, boggy areas, and rural residence internal fencing.

Establish“safetyzones”(largeareasfreeofvegetationandotherhazardousconditionsforfirefighterstoretreatto).

Maximizewatersourceaccessandavailability(hydrants,ditches,reservoirs,watertanks,etc.).Ensurepumpsandhosesareavailableandthatthesizeandtypeofoutletsarestandardfittings.

Ifyouwouldliketoofferyourequipment(water,tank,tractor)forfirefighting,makearrangementsandcontactspriortouseforpropertrackingandreimbursement.

Pre-Plan:EnsureFirefightersHaveAccess

Go Followguidelinesfrompage14.

Ensureallpeoplehavesafelyevacuated.

Stayincommunicationwithfireoperations.Askquestions,offerassistance,andgivepermission.Your invaluable knowledge of the area will prove usefulforfirefighterswhoaretheretohelpprotectyourlandandresources.Firecrewscanthenrunanoperationthatmeetsyourneedsaswellastheirs.

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Post in a location where everymemberofyourfamilycanseeit,suchasonthefridgeornexttoaphone.

Out-of-StateContact: Phone: WorkPhone#1: WorkPhone#2:

Ourchild(ren)’sschool(s)evacuateto: SchoolPhone#(s):

Child(ren)’sschool-approvedalternativeemergencycontact:

Other #s:

EvacuationRoutes:

Where to go:

LocationofEmergencySupplyKit:

WellbeforefiredangerisHIGH,prepareyourfamilyandresidenceforpotentialwildfires.Monitoryourlocalmediaforthelatestinformationonanyincident,andmakecertainyourmobilephoneshave

emergency“InCaseofEmergency”(ICE)informationloaded.

Our Family’s Wildland Fire Action Guide

HawaiiCountyFireDept.(808)932-2912

HonoluluCountyFireDept.(808)723-7163

MauiCountyFireDept.(808)244-9161

KauaiCountyFireDept.(808)241-4985

LocalFireDepartmentNumbers(Circletheappropriatecontact)

RemembertoPRACTICEyourevacuationplanseveraltimeseachyearwithyourfamily!

Safety Tip

Primary:

Secondary:

Additionalimportantitems(glasses,medications,medicalaids,etc.)andwherethey’rekept:

Neighborswe’veagreedtoassist:

Name:Phone #:Address:How we’ve agreed to help:

Name:Phone #:Address:How we’ve agreed to help:

HawaiiWildfire.org

Emergency Plan NotesUsethespacebelowtoaddanyadditionalinformationtoyourfamily’sevacuationplan:

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Our Family’s Home Evacuation PlanDrawafloorplanormapofyourhomewiththespaceprovidedbelow:

• Showalldoorsandwindows.

• Marktwowaysoutofeachroomwitharrows(1stchoice:solidand2ndchoice:dotted).

• Markallsmokealarmsinthehousewitha.Markallfireextinguisherswitha.

• Markyouremergencykitwitha.Keepkitsclosetoyour2mainexits.

• Pickandmarkamainmeetingplace(andabackupalternative)outsidethehousewhereeveryonecanmeet,awayfromanyhazards.

• Remembertopracticeyourplanatleasttwiceayear.

Example:

Post in a location where everymemberofyourfamilycanseeit,suchasonthefridgeornexttoaphone.

READY, SET, GO!Residential Safety Checklist

TipsToImproveFamilyandPropertySurvivalDuringAWildlandFire

Home Yes No1. Doesyourhomehaveametal,composition,ortile(orothernon-combustible)roof

with capped ends and covered fascia?

2. Aretherainguttersandrooffreeofleaves,needlesandbranches?

3. Areallventopeningsscreenedwith1/8inch(orsmaller)meshmetalscreen?

4. Areapprovedsparkarrestorsonchimneys?

5. Doesthehousehavenon-combustiblesidingmaterial?

6. Aretheeaves“boxedin”andthedecks,lanai,and/orpier-and-postsenclosed?

7. Arethewindowsmadeofatleastdouble-panedortemperedglass?

8. Arethedecks,porches,lanai,andothersimilarareasmadeofnon-combustible materialandfreeofeasilycombustiblematerial(e.g.plasticfurniture)?

9. Isallfirewoodatleast30feetfromthehouse?

Defensible Space Yes No1. Isdeadvegetationcleared100feetfromthehouse?

(Consideraddingdistanceduetoslopeofproperty.)

2. Isthereseparationbetweenshrubs?

3. Areladderfuelsremoved?

4. Isthereacleanandgreenareaextendingatleast30feetfromthehouse?

5. Isthereanon-combustibleareawithinfivefeetofthehouse?

6. Isthereseparationbetweentrees/treeclusters?

Emergency Access Yes No1. Isthehomeaddressvisiblefromthestreet?

2. Isthehomeaddressmadeoffire-resistantmaterials?

3. Arestreetsignspresentateveryintersectionleadingtothehouse?

4. Arestreetsignsmadeoffire-resistantmaterials?

5. Isflammablevegetationwithin10feetofthedrivewayclearedand areoverhangingobstructionsremoved?

6. Ifalongdrivewayispresent,doesithaveasuitableturnaroundarea?

Ready, Set, Go!www.wildlandfireRSG.org

HawaiiWildfireManagementOrganizationwww.hawaiiwildfire.org